In this study, we address the significant challenge of overcoming limitations in the catalytic efficiency for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The current linear scaling relationships hinder the optimization of the electrocatalytic performance. To tackle this issue, we investigate the potential of designing single-atom catalysts (SACs) on MoCO MXenes for electrochemical OER using first-principles modeling simulations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe binder is an essential component in determining the structural integrity and ionic conductivity of Li-ion battery electrodes. However, conventional binders are not sufficiently conductive and durable to be used with solid-state electrolytes. In this study, a novel system is proposed for a Li secondary battery that combines the electrolyte and binder into a unified structure, which is achieved by employing para-phenylenediamine (pPD) moiety to create supramolecular bridges between the parent binders.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlthough self-assembled nanoparticles (SNPs) have been used extensively for targeted drug delivery, their clinical applications have been limited since most of the drugs are released into the blood before they reach their target site. In this study, metal-phenolic network (MPN)-coated SNPs (MPN-SNPs), which consist of an amphiphilic hyaluronic acid derivative, were prepared to be a pH-responsive nanocarrier to facilitate drug release in tumor microenvironments (TME). Due to their amphiphilic nature, SNPs were capable of encapsulating doxorubicin (DOX), chosen as the model anticancer drug.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: The aim of this study is to assess the saddle deformity after septoplasty and the usefulness of immediate correction.
Design: Retrospective study.
Setting: University medical center.
J Craniofac Surg
January 2020
Objective: To introduce a novel cartilage trap-door flap technique in endonasal septoplasty to correct high dorsal deviation of the cartilaginous septum, and confirm its effectiveness.
Design: Prospective observational study.
Setting: Medical center.
Objective: This study was conducted to introduce and evaluate the efficacy of an ultrasonic bony aspirator in rhinoplasty for hump removal.
Design: Retrospective study.
Setting: University medical center.
Wrinkling is a well-known example of instability-driven surface deformation that occurs when the accumulated compressive stress exceeds the critical value in multilayered systems. A number of studies have investigated the instability conditions and the corresponding mechanisms of wrinkling deformation. Force balance analysis of bilayer systems, in which the thickness of the capping layer is importantly considered, has offered a useful approach for the quantitative understanding of wrinkling.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPolymeric thin films coated on non-wettable substrates undergo film-instabilities, which are usually manifested as surface deformation in the form of dewetting or wrinkling. The former takes place in fluidic films, whereas the latter occurs in solid films. Therefore, there have rarely been reports of systems involving simultaneous deformations of dewetting and wrinkling.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMetal-phenolic networks (MPNs) are a versatile class of self-assembled materials that are able to form functional thin films on various substrates with potential applications in areas including drug delivery and catalysis. Different metal ions (e.g.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAtomic force microscopy (AFM) nanomanipulation has been viewed as a deterministic method for the assembly of plasmonic metamolecules because it enables unprecedented engineering of clusters with exquisite control over particle number and geometry. Nevertheless, the dimensionality of plasmonic metamolecules via AFM nanomanipulation is limited to 2D, so as to restrict the design space of available artificial electromagnetisms. Here, we show that "2D" nanomanipulation of the AFM tip can be used to assemble "3D" plasmonic metamolecules in a versatile and deterministic way by dribbling highly spherical and smooth gold nanospheres (NSs) on a nanohole template rather than on a flat surface.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInterestingly, the petals of flowering plants display unique hierarchical structures, in which surface relief gratings (SRGs) are conformably coated on a curved surface with a large radius of curvature (hereafter referred to as wavy surface). However, systematic studies on the interplay between the diffractive modes and the wavy surface have not yet been reported, due to the absence of deterministic nanofabrication methods capable of generating combinatorially diverse SRGs on a wavy surface. Here, by taking advantage of the recently developed nanofabrication composed of evaporative assembly and photofluidic holography inscription, we were able to achieve (i) combinatorially diverse petal-inspired SRGs with controlled curvatures, periodicities, and dimensionalities, and (ii) systematic optical studies of the relevant diffraction modes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEngineered materials that promote cell adhesion and cell growth are important in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. In this work, we produced poly(dopamine) (PDA) films with engineered patterns for improved cell adhesion. The patterned films were synthesized via the polymerization of dopamine at the air-water interface of a floating bed of spherical particles.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTemperature can be harnessed to engineer unique properties for materials useful in various contexts and has been shown to affect the layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of polymer thin films and cause physical changes in preassembled polymer thin films. Herein we demonstrate that exposure to relatively low temperatures (≤ 100 °C) can induce physicochemical changes in cationic polymer thin films. The surface charge of polymer films containing primary and secondary amines reverses after heating (from positive to negative), and different characterization techniques are used to show that the change in surface charge is related to oxidation of the polymer that specifically occurs in the thin film state.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFACS Appl Mater Interfaces
February 2016
Polymeric three-dimensional inverse-opal (IO) structures provide unique structural properties useful for various applications ranging from optics to separation technologies. Despite vast needs for IO functionalization to impart additional chemical properties, this task has been seriously challenged by the intrinsic limitation of polymeric porous materials that do not allow for the easy penetration of waterborne moieties or precursors. To overcome this restriction, we present a robust and straightforward method of employing a dipping-based surface modification with polydopamine (PDA) inside the IO structures, and demonstrate their application to catalytic membranes via synthetic incorporation of Ag nanoparticles.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFClin Exp Otorhinolaryngol
September 2015
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the advantages and limitations of using a silicon tube to support the fractured orbital floor by a transantral approach.
Methods: A retrospective study was conducted from January 2000 to December. 2011 in 51 patients with pure orbital floor fractures.
Objective: The objectives of this study were to introduce the use of an ultrasonic bone aspirator (UBA; SONOPET [Mutoh Co, Ltd, Tokyo, Japan]) for septoturbinoplasty and to evaluate the efficacy and usefulness of this surgical procedure.
Design: This was a retrospective chart review.
Setting: This study was performed at a university medical center.
Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol
November 2013
Management of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma sized ≤5 mm identified on ultrasonography is controversial. In this study, we evaluated the clinical characteristics of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma sized ≤5 mm on ultrasonography in comparison to those >5 mm and sought to present rationales for optimal management in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma ≤5 mm. The medical records of 396 patients who underwent surgery for papillary thyroid carcinoma between 2009 and 2011 were retrospectively analyzed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF